teeda: Thanks. I might get the holdbacks that match the rod? tfm1134: You're so sweet--thanks very much! The white coverlet is Sferra Poppy--I bought it at a seriously reduced price on eBay. The taupe coverlet and shams I bought at Restoration Hardware on deep discount a few years ago--they no longer carry that style, but there are similar coverlets on eBay all the time. perky2: That's so nice of you--thanks. :) My dh prefers the long length, too--so I guess we're going to go with that. I'm on my way to CC now to purchase them. Will post pics later!

Hi! Thanks for all the advice. I went to help her set things up and to look at it in order to decide how to provide privacy. I decided to get ceiling tracks (found some at BBB for $9.99 on sale from $39!). I got 4 tracks of 48" each to cover the 12' span. I'm going to attach to the ceiling and I made 4 blackout curtain panels (bought ready-made panels from Target and added blackout fabric to them) to hang on the tracks. The opening at the staircase will not be covered so light will come in there,but for privacy that will be okay. She'll decide later if she wants something added there. So here's is my final question: The ceiling is 9' tall and the half-wall is 4'. So that leaves a 5' space to fill with the curtains. I am all done making them except to hem to the final length. Should I have them extend beyond the top of the half-wall, so maybe hem them to 65" or so? I was thinking that if the curtains are a little bit longer than the opening, they would stay closed better if there are slight breezes from AC or the nearby ceiling fan. Would about 5" extra inches be sufficient, or should it be more, like 10 or 12"? So far: Ikea bed with drawers, over-bed storage rack form BBB, a soft-sided Ikea wardrobe, Ikea shelf with plastic bins (instead of a wooden dresser), shelf from BBB. Adding soon, a small laptop desk and a swivel chair from Ikea with will fit at te foot of the bed where there are about 4' left. We realize nothing matches but we were going for function and had to choose from what was available.

Wow, er612! Thank you so much for all your ideas and your effort!! The pictures definitely help me demonstrate what I've been trying to explain to my husband (and will need to explain to a contractor). I'd love to go with the simplest option, but as @AnnKH mentions, sound is definitely an issue; we can't even make a cup of coffee in the morning without disturbing our daughter. But visibility/privacy is not an issue, so I really like the first picture. @AnnKH, we used sun tunnels in our last home and loved them, but our condo association has some restrictions. And a solid wall would mean A LOT of wall, given how high the ceiling in our living room is. But your point about sound insulation is well-taken. And it's funny that you mention a vacation home, because I've slept in my daughter's room on occasion, and it definitely reminds me of being in a rental condo like that. I can even hear the dishwasher running, just like on vacation!

Those Pax wardrobes are fabulous storage options. I'd go with white, for sure. The Pax didn't work in our bedroom but I think it's partly because they were at the entrance of the room. Surrounding the window as you have it in your layout would work heaps better. They look great in Lyfia's pics. I'm also short and feel claustrophobic with tall furniture so that's my bias.